There is a new code brewing for The Matrix 5.
After the cyberpunk sci-fi franchise was finally revived in 2021, The Matrix Resurrections underperformed at the box office, making just $160 million against a $190 million budget. However, that didn’t stop Warner Bros. from pursuing a new installment with Drew Goddard writing and directing.
Following the initial announcement in 2024, updates on The Matrix 5 have been minimal, but there is some good news. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley for Project Hail Mary​​​​, Goddard confirmed that the fifth installment is “still in the works. I’m in my writing cave writing. I don’t know how long I’ll be in that writing cave, but whenever I come out, I’ll have news to share.”
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon.
When The Matrix 5 was announced in 2024, Warner Bros. executive Jesse Ehrman confirmed the story “will advance the fantasy world without straying too far from what made the series a success.” However, there were no further details on potential filming and release window, but that will ultimately depend on whether the executives approve of the script.
While there has been little progress and no production timeline, the new update is reassuring as it confirms that the fifth Matrix movie is still happening. However, the plot details remain under wraps, and it’s unclear whether major stars like Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss plan to reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity.
The upcoming installment will be the first without either of the Wachowski sisters directly involved, as they originated the popular Matrix franchise. However, Lana Wachowski will act as an executive producer after previously helming the fourth installment without her sister.
During those two years, Goddard prioritized a few projects, including the upcoming Project Hail Mary, which is based on Andy Weir’s novel, and ABC’s High Potential, which he created. It’s also been reported that the filmmaker was recruited to join James Gunn’s writers’ room to map the DC Universe after he took over as co-boss of DC Studios.
Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that there could be some pressure to perfect the script in light of The Matrix Resurrections. While critics and audience reception slightly improved from Revolutions, it currently holds a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, the fourth installment was considered a flop after failing to recover most of the budget. However, it’s worth noting that the film was released during COVID-19 and had a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release on HBO Max.
Before the fourth movie, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions made $467 million, $741 million, and $427 million, respectively. Revolutions, released in 2003, had a massive dip in profits, but the Wachowskis had initially intended to make a three-part story. For nearly two decades, however, Warner Bros. encouraged another installment, and Lana Wachowski returned as a solo director. However, production wasn’t smooth sailing due to filming interruptions during the pandemic.
Despite no casting confirmation at this time, Reeves agreed to do another Matrix movie. In 2021, he revealed he would return to the franchise as long as producer Lana Wachowski invited him to participate. Reeves has played Neo in all the films thus far.
On the other hand, Laurence Fishburne, who played the original Morpheus, was a little bit hesitant. The actor appeared in the original trilogy as Neo’s mentor, but he was replaced in Resurrections by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who played an AI program based on the Morpheus character.
In April 2025, he appeared on the talk show The View and was asked if he would return for The Matrix 5. Fishburne didn’t give a clear answer and said it depended on the circumstances, including “who is involved,” “how well the script has been written.” He added that it would be under the condition that he be offered the role. Fishburne volunteered to return for the 2021 film, but he claimed that production “didn’t respond well to that.”
While The Matrix 5 is still well in development, it’s unclear how the Warner Bros. and Paramount acquisition deal will impact the movie’s status. Until then, it may be a while until there is more certainty about the upcoming installment and who will return.
Goddard’s film Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, comes to theaters on March 20, 2026.
Director
Drew Goddard
Producers
Lana Wachowski